Bracelet buckle
Jewellery
2020.2.28.4.JW.BR.C1830.GB
Description
Scottish chalcedony bracelet buckle with a pinchbeck mount and brass bracelet base. The clasp is centrally set with a larger chalcedony cabochon. Around the central stone are set ten more cabochons.When quartz forms as a mass of microscopically small crystals it is known as ‘microcrystalline quartz’ or ‘cryptocrystalline quartz’. This family includes all varieties of chalcedony such as agate, carnelian and sard. Pure chalcedony is a translucent grey or white, whilst agates, cornelian and chrysoprase display a variety of subtle colours and patterns.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made their first visit to Scotland in 1842, only five years after taking the throne. The young Queen was greatly excited by Sir Walter Scott's novels and very anxious to make the acquaintance of her northern kingdom, which soon became one of her favorite haunts after the purchase of Balmoral Castle a few years later. She loved all things Scottish, including distinctive Scottish jewelry, and where the royals go, the masses follow, and by the 1850's Scottish jewelry was all the rage. It remained so throughout the Victorian era.
Materials
ChalcedonyPinchbeck
Brass
Origin
vers 1830 Scotland, United KingdomDimensions
Length : 3.8 cmHeight : 4.2 cm